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I Photograph Shelter Dogs Out Of Their Kennels To Help Potential Adopters Imagine Them In An Everyday Scenario (19 Pics)
Imagine having to leave your home, your friends and family, and your everyday life behind. Imagine being thrown into a world full of strange people, unfamiliar smells and sounds, and surroundings. Imagine not knowing if you’ll ever see your family again…
That’s pretty much the experience that a rescue dog goes through when they arrive at a shelter. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding their arrival, they’ll probably be feeling confused, anxious, stressed out and completely overwhelmed!
So it’s no wonder that the shelter volunteers – who are already rushed off their feet feeding, cleaning and looking after all the animals in their care – can struggle to get good photos of the dogs that come through their doors. These incredible people dedicate their lives to the animals in their care, all with a limited budget, time and resources. There simply isn’t enough time in the day for photo shoots, especially when the dogs are probably feeling anxious enough already!
More info: theartisanhound.co.uk
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In a digital world of scrolling endlessly through news feeds and websites, it’s becoming harder to stand out in the crowd. And for a shelter dog, standing out in a crowd could be the difference between another year alone at the shelter, or a loving forever home with a brand new family. It could literally save their life! So that was the challenge I set myself when I started photographing shelter dogs. I knew I needed to get people to stop in their tracks when they scrolled past my photos online.
It’s super important that the dogs are as comfortable as possible in front of my camera. These dogs are often nervous, and sometimes visibly distressed. Some of them are reactive to other animals, while some will freeze in fear at the sight of a passing car or cyclist. I want their photos to help potential adopters visualize each dog in an everyday scenario – an excited pup down at the park or a happy hound out on a family walk. I want to banish that image of a sad, lonely dog cowering in a kennel. I want adopters to see just how amazing these dogs can be, given the chance to just be normal, regular dogs!
He looks loke a cross between a generous old leather armchair at the English gentleman's club and the old chap sitting in it. Missing details: glass of sherry, monocle and bowler hat.
If you were to package up Hoochey and mail him to my airport, i would pick him up and love him for the rest of his furry life. OMG. He would love his two sisters and he could drool on my floor all day. sigh.
I don't think that's the same dog...? The white chest patterns don't match.
Hi Lyn, it is the same dog, the vertical part of the white chest stripe is hidden behind her harness in the second photo. Also you can see she has a pale marking on the right of her muzzle :)
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So I take the time to get to know each shelter dog I photograph. They get to have a sniff of the camera (and me!) and I have plenty of treats on hand in case a little motivation is needed. It’s as much about creating a positive experience as it is getting a good photo. Giving them the opportunity to stretch their legs and experience something a little bit different is a great form of enrichment for a dog that would otherwise be sitting in a kennel or run.
It’s not always easy. And sometimes I doubt myself and wonder if I’m actually making a difference with my photos. But then every now and again I’ll hear from somebody who adopted a dog, and they tell me that it was my photo that made them stop and take notice. And I think what might have happened if I’d never taken that photo… It may be hard work, and I might not get to do it as often as I’d like to, but I’m convinced that a good photo can definitely save a life.
It looks like Bertie is saying adopt me, wish I could, all my pets were adopted and were the best !!!
Looks like a terrier breed, I found them to be wonderful and so smart !!!
Such wonderful work; really gorgeous photos of these beautiful dogs! I sincerely hope that each and every one of them finds their forever home ❤
This has become a trend. Taking dogs that are in shelters and doing professional shots of them to be posted on adoption sites. It works really well at helping people to see what fantastic dogs they are. There is also a trend to give information on the dog from the dogs perspective..kind of like a dating website profile. It makes it easier for people to relate to these puppers.
A good trend. A photo of a scared, anxious, confused animal in a concrete kennel will arouse pity, but not give the best idea of it's true potential as your future pet and companion.
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Breaks my heart that I can't adopt them all. Lovely and so deserving of good homes.
Rosie, I feel your pain! I wish I could take every one home with me <3
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Amazing work Josie, i wish i could adopt them all, i really do, i already have 5 rescue dogs and 4 rescue cats, if i could i would have them all, love what you are doing, best of luck to all the good boys and girls, they all deserve a forever home. You are making a difference, anything to raise awareness and attention to these beautiful animals. Thank you from one animal lover to another.
Thank you! Imagine how I felt getting to meet them all in person! One of these days I think I'l come home with one (or two!). Shelter dogs can make such amazing, loving pets - and I have to say thank you to the people like you who give them a chance!
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What a talented photographer and a wonderful gift to these animals in search of homes. These all show the personality of the pet and exponentially increases their chances of adoption. Excellent work and God bless you for your efforts!
This is so amazing! Thank you for taking the time to take such great pics! There are so many studies showing that good pictures increase a lot adoptions. I dont understand how many shelters still underestimate this so much...
Thank you! I definitely think it makes a difference - even better when an adopter actually tells me that it made a difference to them! I think a lot of shelters struggle so much with resources like staff, and time, and equipment, that it can be hard for them to get good photos (they're so busy doing the essentials like feeding and cleaning the animals etc). I'd encourage any shelter to look into HeArts Speak and the incredible work they do helping shelters with their images: https://heartsspeak.org/
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You are amazing ! I love when people use their talent to do such beautifull things 💜💜
Thank you so much :) it's the absolute least I can do for these beautiful dogs <3
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Hi Debra, these dogs - and many others - are available for adoption (at the time of writing) from my local shelter, Animals In Need: www.animals-in-need.org - they're based near Wellingborough in the UK :)
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Great work and truly gorgeous photos. Such a kind thing to do. Thank you.
OMG..... Someone will you please go pick up HOOCHIE!!!?????? like NOW? What a sweet and helpful idea!
Hoochey is an absolute sweetheart! She'll make the best walking buddy for somebody - hopefully very soon :)
Load More Replies... Can really see the difference in every single one - particularly the ears. Great photos. Looks like the photoshoots were the best fun they had in a while.
They really do love getting out of the kennels, and just getting to behave like regular dogs! I'm so glad it shows through the photos :)
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Absolutely - me too! In fact I know that one of them already has! <3
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That's awesome that you so this! Giving them such a happy and hopeful day is wonderful. Thank you for loving on them!
They're all so beautiful, I just wanna cry!! :'( Looking at the website probably wasn't my best idea. Sweet babies, I hope they all find their furever homes. <3
Wonderful work! They look so happy and I belive the pictures do make a big difference. I've been thinking on asking my local shelter if I can do something similar for them. So maybe you can help me answer these questions: How do you get them to sit so still? Do you have an assistant or staff member to help you? I don't see a leash on the pictures - is it photoshop magic or some secret trick? Thanks a lot and keep up this beautiful work! ♥
Hi Anja, thank you so much! It's amazing that you'd like to do the same thing for your local shelter! It isn't always easy, a lot of the dogs are stressed or have behavioural issues, so you have to learn to read their body language and try to keep them calm and comfortable. I always have an assistant/volunteer to hold the dog's leash (I Photoshop the leash out afterwards!). Some dogs will know hot to sit on command (especially for a treat) but a lot of them don't know any commands - in that case you can either try and do a bit of basic training, or you can work with them standing up. You'll see some of the photos above where the dogs are standing - most of them didn't know 'sit'. Hopefully that helps - best of luck with your photography! :)
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Have any of them been adopted? These are awesome photos and super cool doggos!!!!
Hi there! As far as I know, so far Mia has been adopted - hopefully the rest will find homes very soon! :)
Load More Replies... Hi Josie, bless you for your help, I am sure the photos do help especially as your shots are outdoors in nature, so much more pleasing, it's so sad the huge amount of dogs not wanted as people too often want a SPECIAL breed, and too many breeders, it bothers me tremendously, the dogs I have from a shelter were fantastic, I believe they know they are so loved and grateful, my dogs were the best could not have been better, thanks Josie !!!
Thank you so much Sharron! Shelter dogs get such a rough deal in life, it's the least I can do to play a small part in helping them find the loving homes they deserve. Like you say, they make fantastic companions and deserve every chance at happiness :)
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Such wonderful work; really gorgeous photos of these beautiful dogs! I sincerely hope that each and every one of them finds their forever home ❤
This has become a trend. Taking dogs that are in shelters and doing professional shots of them to be posted on adoption sites. It works really well at helping people to see what fantastic dogs they are. There is also a trend to give information on the dog from the dogs perspective..kind of like a dating website profile. It makes it easier for people to relate to these puppers.
A good trend. A photo of a scared, anxious, confused animal in a concrete kennel will arouse pity, but not give the best idea of it's true potential as your future pet and companion.
Load More Replies... Breaks my heart that I can't adopt them all. Lovely and so deserving of good homes.
Rosie, I feel your pain! I wish I could take every one home with me <3
Load More Replies... Amazing work Josie, i wish i could adopt them all, i really do, i already have 5 rescue dogs and 4 rescue cats, if i could i would have them all, love what you are doing, best of luck to all the good boys and girls, they all deserve a forever home. You are making a difference, anything to raise awareness and attention to these beautiful animals. Thank you from one animal lover to another.
Thank you! Imagine how I felt getting to meet them all in person! One of these days I think I'l come home with one (or two!). Shelter dogs can make such amazing, loving pets - and I have to say thank you to the people like you who give them a chance!
Load More Replies... What a talented photographer and a wonderful gift to these animals in search of homes. These all show the personality of the pet and exponentially increases their chances of adoption. Excellent work and God bless you for your efforts!
This is so amazing! Thank you for taking the time to take such great pics! There are so many studies showing that good pictures increase a lot adoptions. I dont understand how many shelters still underestimate this so much...
Thank you! I definitely think it makes a difference - even better when an adopter actually tells me that it made a difference to them! I think a lot of shelters struggle so much with resources like staff, and time, and equipment, that it can be hard for them to get good photos (they're so busy doing the essentials like feeding and cleaning the animals etc). I'd encourage any shelter to look into HeArts Speak and the incredible work they do helping shelters with their images: https://heartsspeak.org/
Load More Replies... You are amazing ! I love when people use their talent to do such beautifull things 💜💜
Thank you so much :) it's the absolute least I can do for these beautiful dogs <3
Load More Replies... Hi Debra, these dogs - and many others - are available for adoption (at the time of writing) from my local shelter, Animals In Need: www.animals-in-need.org - they're based near Wellingborough in the UK :)
Load More Replies... Great work and truly gorgeous photos. Such a kind thing to do. Thank you.
OMG..... Someone will you please go pick up HOOCHIE!!!?????? like NOW? What a sweet and helpful idea!
Hoochey is an absolute sweetheart! She'll make the best walking buddy for somebody - hopefully very soon :)
Load More Replies... Can really see the difference in every single one - particularly the ears. Great photos. Looks like the photoshoots were the best fun they had in a while.
They really do love getting out of the kennels, and just getting to behave like regular dogs! I'm so glad it shows through the photos :)
Load More Replies... Absolutely - me too! In fact I know that one of them already has! <3
Load More Replies... That's awesome that you so this! Giving them such a happy and hopeful day is wonderful. Thank you for loving on them!
They're all so beautiful, I just wanna cry!! :'( Looking at the website probably wasn't my best idea. Sweet babies, I hope they all find their furever homes. <3
Wonderful work! They look so happy and I belive the pictures do make a big difference. I've been thinking on asking my local shelter if I can do something similar for them. So maybe you can help me answer these questions: How do you get them to sit so still? Do you have an assistant or staff member to help you? I don't see a leash on the pictures - is it photoshop magic or some secret trick? Thanks a lot and keep up this beautiful work! ♥
Hi Anja, thank you so much! It's amazing that you'd like to do the same thing for your local shelter! It isn't always easy, a lot of the dogs are stressed or have behavioural issues, so you have to learn to read their body language and try to keep them calm and comfortable. I always have an assistant/volunteer to hold the dog's leash (I Photoshop the leash out afterwards!). Some dogs will know hot to sit on command (especially for a treat) but a lot of them don't know any commands - in that case you can either try and do a bit of basic training, or you can work with them standing up. You'll see some of the photos above where the dogs are standing - most of them didn't know 'sit'. Hopefully that helps - best of luck with your photography! :)
Load More Replies... Have any of them been adopted? These are awesome photos and super cool doggos!!!!
Hi there! As far as I know, so far Mia has been adopted - hopefully the rest will find homes very soon! :)
Load More Replies... Hi Josie, bless you for your help, I am sure the photos do help especially as your shots are outdoors in nature, so much more pleasing, it's so sad the huge amount of dogs not wanted as people too often want a SPECIAL breed, and too many breeders, it bothers me tremendously, the dogs I have from a shelter were fantastic, I believe they know they are so loved and grateful, my dogs were the best could not have been better, thanks Josie !!!
Thank you so much Sharron! Shelter dogs get such a rough deal in life, it's the least I can do to play a small part in helping them find the loving homes they deserve. Like you say, they make fantastic companions and deserve every chance at happiness :)
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